How to Floss Back Teeth Properly to Keep Your Mouth Healthy

Did you know only 30% of people floss on a daily basis? Many people don’t follow this dentist recommended activity because they don’t think it’s important to their overall oral health. But the truth is, flossing is necessary to remove the bacteria and buildup that can lead to inflammation, gum disease, and even tooth loss.

Flossing is useless, however, if you don’t do it the right way. What’s the right way? Well, flossing the right way means knowing how to floss back teeth, which is a tricky thing many people fail to do.

Your Guide to Flossing

Not sure how to floss your teeth correctly? In this article, we’ll cover what you need you to know about flossing, so you can keep your smile white and bright and your teeth and gums happy and healthy.

Pick the Right Floss

The first step to flossing effectively is picking the dental floss option that’s best for you. There are many types of dental floss options available, such as nylon floss, which is stringy, and PTFE floss, which can easily glide between tight teeth. The best floss for you will depend on a variety of factors like how wide the gaps in your teeth are or if you have things like veneers or braces.

Not a fan of standard floss? Here are some popular flossing alternatives you can use:

• Hand-held flosser
• Water pick
• Soft pick
• Air flosser

The most important thing is that you pick a flosser you feel comfortable using and that matches your personal preferences.

How to Floss

To start off flossing, you should grab a piece of floss that’s between 18 to 24 inches long. Then wrap the ends of the floss around your index and middle finger to make the floss tight enough to pull up trapped food and buildup. Once the floss is ready, you use it in a back and forth, up and down motion against the sides of each tooth to properly clean them.

It doesn’t matter which tooth you start with as long as you floss every single one. When you start make sure you floss gently between the tooth and the gum line. It’s important to be gentle because if you’re not you’re more likely to hurt your gums or cause them to bleed.

What About Back Teeth?

While you can get most of the trapped plaque and bacteria by flossing your front teeth, you also need to know how to floss back teeth. If you don’t learn how to do this properly or skip it, you run the risk of bacteria sticking to the back gum pockets in your mouth, which will potentially lead to gum disease and tooth decay.

The key to flossing your back teeth is using a longer piece of floss. This provides you with the flexibility to reach the harder to reach spots. If your back teeth are tight or crowded, you may want to use PTFE floss, as it’s more durable and less likely to break when sliding between tight teeth.

Final Thoughts on How to Floss Back Teeth

Flossing your back teeth isn’t easy, so don’t feel frustrated or defeated if you don’t get a handle on it right away. Just make sure you don’t neglect your back molars because if you do you run the risk gum disease and even tooth decay. But if you floss your back teeth correctly, you can ensure you’ll have a happy and healthy smile for years to come!

Are you in need of dental help? Have further questions about flossing or oral health? Contact us now to schedule an appointment!

source http://www.golsendental.com/how-to-floss-back-teeth-properly-to-keep-your-mouth-healthy/

What To Expect During An In Office Teeth Whitening Session

What To Expect During an In Office Teeth Whitening

Even if you do all the right things to keep your teeth white, they still naturally discolor as we age. Home whitening treatments can help, but you’ll get much better results from a professional in office teeth whitening session.

Here’s what you can expect during and after the procedure.

Initial Consultation

That American Dental Association (ADA) recommends consulting with your dentist before using any whitening product. You should have your teeth professionally cleaned as part of the initial consultation. This allows for the removal of all surface stains and built-up tartar.

Once your teeth are clean, your dentist will examine your teeth and help you determine the best whitening procedure for your specific needs. Professional advice is particularly important when you have dark stains, crowns, or a lot of fillings. If your goal is to have noticeably whiter teeth after one treatment, an in office teeth whitening using a laser or special light is likely the best option.

Preparing for Treatment

When you arrive for treatment, you may receive a touch-up cleaning. A shade guide is often used to determine the initial color of your teeth. This will help document the effectiveness of the treatment after it’s done.

Professional bleaching solutions can irritate or damage the soft tissues in your mouth. The dentist will take protective steps including the use of:

• Dental dams
• Cotton rolls and gauze
• Cheek retractors

Protective eyewear and a face bib can also help avoid accidental contact with your face or eyes.

Whitening Application

Once you’re all prepared, the dentist will apply the whitening agent. If using a light or laser for activation, it will also start at this time.

The procedure typically takes 60 to 90 minutes. The dentist will likely chance out or refresh your whitener several times during the course of the procedure.

It’s possible that you may experience some teeth sensitivity. If it’s overly uncomfortable, the dentist may decide to cut your treatment short. This is not common, but it is an option if necessary.

The Final Results and Follow-Up

Immediately after your procedure is done, your teeth will actually be a bit dehydrated. This causes them to appear whiter than they actually are. As your teeth rehydrate over the next few hours, the color may darken slightly.

Despite the rehydration effect, your smile will be noticeably whiter and brighter after all is said and done. For best results, avoid smoking and drinking chromogenic agents like coffee, cola, or red wine within two hours of treatment.

Your dentist may also recommend that you follow up with an at-home tray-based bleaching product. This will help combat the rehydration effect. It also allows you to maintain optimal whitening until you’re ready for your next professional treatment.

Ready for Your In Office Teeth Whitening?

Having your teeth professionally whitened is an excellent way to boost your self-esteem.

Whether you’re ready to get started or still have some questions, we’re here to help. Contact us today by phone or email or use our convenient online form.

source http://www.golsendental.com/what-to-expect-during-an-in-office-teeth-whitening-session/